The American Red Cross Eastern New York Region has announced plans to hold its largest fire safety event of 2020 – a signature Sound the Alarm event in the City of Amsterdam – on Saturday, May 2, 2020. For the third year in a row, the Red Cross is teaming up with volunteers and partners across the U.S. for a two-week push to install 100,000 free smoke alarms in more than 100 cities and towns nationwide. Locally, the Red Cross is joining forces with the City of Amsterdam for a one-day, community-wide event focused on making homes safer and preventing home fire tragedies.
On Thursday, Red Cross volunteers and employees joined Amsterdam Mayor Michael Cinquanti, Fire Chief Anthony Agresta, Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, and numerous corporate and community partners to announce their plans to install as many free smoke alarms as possible on May 2.
“Across our region, Red Cross volunteers respond to nearly 500 fires each year. Home fires are the biggest disaster threat in every community we serve, and the worst fires are those that result in tragic loss of life. We want to put an end to these tragedies, and we are grateful to have strong support from the City of Amsterdam and many local businesses and community organizations who've pledged to help us Sound the Alarm in this community and save lives.”
- Kimmy Venter, Regional Chief Communications Officer, American Red Cross
“We are thrilled that the Red Cross has selected Amsterdam, NY as one of the targeted cities for this year’s Sound the Alarm campaign. Talk about a worthwhile event -- by the time volunteers have completed their mission on May 2nd, hundreds of Amsterdam’s living spaces and the folks who live in them will be better protected from the devastating effects of home fires. I’m also hoping that we get a large contingent of volunteers from our community so we can meet our goal of installing 1,000 free smoke alarms. I know I will be one of those volunteers. On behalf of the City of Amsterdam, I express my deepest appreciation to the Red Cross for this wonderful contribution to our community."
- Amsterdam Mayor Michael Cinquanti
“A working smoke alarm can save your life, and it’s critical that every household has one. I’m excited to partner with the Red Cross in providing residents in the City of Amsterdam with the information and tools they need to ensure their family’s safety.”
- Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara
On Saturday, May 2, local volunteers and partners will team up to canvass neighborhoods across the city, installing free smoke alarms and helping families create home fire escape plans. The Red Cross estimates that they will need approximately 300 volunteers to make this signature Sound the Alarm event a success. Numerous community partners across the city including Creative Connections Clubhouse, St. Mary's Healthcare, and Sticker Mule are engaging teams of volunteers to help. Additional volunteers are needed, and volunteer registration is open now at redcross.org/AmsterdamSTA. No prior experience is necessary to join this lifesaving effort. All volunteer training and supplies will be provided.
Amsterdam residents wishing to request free smoke alarms from the Red Cross can sign up online at redcross.org/AmsterdamSTA or call 518-694-5121. Appointments are encouraged to help maximize the number of homes volunteers are able to visit on May 2.
All smoke alarms and educational materials are provided to residents completely free of charge, thanks to the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors. Local sponsors of the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign and the May 2 Sound the Alarm event in the City of Amsterdam include CAP COM Federal Credit Union, Hannay Reels, MVP Health Care, National Grid,Spectrum, State Farm and Stewart's Shops.
“Installing this many smoke alarms in a single day is no small task. We’re grateful to the many partners who’ve already pledged their support, and we’re counting on this wonderful community to help us make a huge impact. You can help Sound the Alarm and save lives by volunteering to install smoke alarms, making a donation to support the cause, and helping to spread the word about fire safety here in Amsterdam and far beyond.”
- Kimmy Venter, Regional Chief Communications Officer, American Red Cross
Homes fires claim seven lives every day in the U.S. – most often in homes without working smoke alarms. Sound the Alarm fire safety and smoke alarm installation events are part of the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, launched in 2014 to prevent needless tragedies from home fires. So far, the campaign has reached more than 2.2 million people and saved more than 700 lives nationwide. In the Eastern New York Region, Red Cross volunteers and partners have installed more than 26,000 free smoke alarms and saved at least 19 local lives to date. To learn more about the Home Fire Campaign and find ways to get involved, visit soundthealarm.org/eny.
